Estee Lauder Companies (EL) vs United-Guardian (UG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) has outperformed United-Guardian (UG) over the past year, losing 1.5% versus a loss of 6.4%. Over five years, UG leads with a -50.3% price change compared with -70.6% for EL. Estee Lauder Companies is the larger company by market cap ($35.31 billion vs $32.3 million), about 1091.7 times the size.
On valuation, United-Guardian trades at a lower trailing P/E (13.0x vs 194.9x for Estee Lauder Companies). United-Guardian offers the higher dividend yield (5.68% vs 1.44%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | EL | UG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $97.45 | $7.04 |
| Market cap | $35.31B | $32.34M |
| 1-day change | +3.32% | -0.92% |
| YTD return | -9.93% | +15.35% |
| 1-year return | -1.50% | -6.38% |
| 5-year return | -70.60% | -50.28% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 194.90 | 13.04 |
| Forward P/E | 24.81 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.50 | $0.54 |
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 5.68% |
| Annual dividend | $1.40 | $0.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.05B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.05% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $182.00M | — |
| Gross margin | 75.50% | — |
| Operating margin | 5.18% | — |
| Net margin | 1.21% | — |
| 52-week high | $121.64 | $8.45 |
| 52-week low | $66.22 | $5.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.89% | -16.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.15% | — |
| Average volume | 2.97M | 9.48K |
| Shares outstanding | 247.82M | 4.59M |
| Employees | 37,950 | 23 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Package Goods/Cosmetics |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Estee Lauder Companies is about 1091.7 times larger than United-Guardian by market value ($35.31B vs $32.34M).
- Estee Lauder Companies trades at a higher earnings multiple (194.9x vs 13.0x trailing P/E).
- United-Guardian offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.68% vs 1.44%).
About Estee Lauder Companies
EL stock →The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 37,950 employees
About United-Guardian
UG stock →United-Guardian, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells, and markets specialty cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceutical products, medical lubricants, and sexual wellness ingredients in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 23 employees
EL vs UG FAQ
Which is bigger, Estee Lauder Companies or United-Guardian?
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $35.31B compared with $32.34M for United-Guardian (UG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EL or UG?
EL returned -1.50% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.38% for UG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EL or UG?
UG has the lower trailing P/E at 13.0, versus 194.9 for EL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Estee Lauder Companies or United-Guardian?
United-Guardian has the higher yield at 5.68%, compared with 1.44% for Estee Lauder Companies.
Are Estee Lauder Companies and United-Guardian in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.